Haze hits Kula Lumpur; air quality worsens in many regions

A view of the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest conservatories of Gardens by the Bay and the southern coast of Singapore shrouded by haze in Singapore September 10, 2015Reuters

With the summer intensifying, haze has hit Malaysian capital Kula Lumpur and Selangor. Unlike in the past, fires from peninsula Malaysia, not plantation fires from Indonesia, are causing the haze.

Searing temperatures have already forced school closures and water rationing in the country.

Temperature in Perlis and parts of Pahang breached 37°C for more the third day on the trot, with water levels receding and reservoirs drying up.

Kuala Lumpur is also hit with power shortage as residents have increased the use of air conditioners to beat the oppressive heat.

Apart from Kula Lumpur, many other parts f the country experienced haze. Air quality in Port Klang and Miri hit hazardus levels, with the API readings touching 110 and 141 respectively, Malay Mail reported.

According to weathermen, global warming has worsened the effects of the El Nino weather cycle, bringing up one of the hottest summers in history.

While many southern regions including Johor have started water rationing, manmy northern stgates will also have to follow suit, Channel News Asia reported.

"We will keep the state governments informed. Then it's up to the states to decide whether or not water rationing is required," Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, said.